THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Nong Khai at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Nong Khai หนองคาย
- Road distance
- About 27 km
- Straight line
- 17 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Nong Khai to Vientiane →
- Border
- Laos → Thailand. Passport and visa needed
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and has several bus terminals, each serving a different direction. International buses to Vietnam leave from the Southern Bus Terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check Lao visa rules before crossing.
KEEP GOING
From Nong Khai, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Nong Khai
More buses from Vientiane
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Vientiane from Nong Khai by road?+
About 27 km by road (17 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Nong Khai take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vientiane include Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Nong Khai to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Nong Khai to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Nong Khai?+
It depends on the operator. In Nong Khai, services use Nong Khai bus station. For Laos, you can also take a tuk-tuk to the Friendship Bridge and cross by shuttle bus.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Nong Khai?+
For Laos, you can also take a tuk-tuk to the Friendship Bridge and cross by shuttle bus.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Nong Khai?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Vientiane to Nong Khai bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Nong Khai by bus?+
Direct buses from Nong Khai include Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Ayutthaya, Don Mueang Airport (DMK) and more. See all connections on our Nong Khai bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Vientiane to Nong Khai?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Thailand. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Vientiane to Nong Khai bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Nong Khai (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →